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Lena Dunham, Katie Couric, George Lucas , and more celebrities at Vanity Fair's New Establishment Summit ask J.J. Abrams anything they want--including a lot of burning questions about Star Wars and Lost. Please Leave A Comment-

We pontificate on how such a plan might have been received by fans. Story by Matt Cummings It's not too often these days that people can agree on something. This happened long ago and too far away when Director George Lucas' Star Wars prequel Episode I: The Phantom Menace and its follow ups. After what was the most successful and perhaps best trilogy to that time, the disappointment at several aspects of Menace was abrupt and severe, leaving fans to ponder a world without Star Wars in it. Then, something magical happened: Disney purchased it in 2012 for $2 billion, while at the same time setting dates for Episode VII: The Force Awakens , as well as a series of origin/spin-offs by directors John Trank ( Chronicle ) and Gareth Edwards ( Godzilla ). In one fell swoop, a beloved franchise had returned and its leader - and perhaps destroyer - was whisked away to seeming retirement. Then came news today that gave the entire Internet a temporary shudder: Lucas was pl

The trailer for STRANGE MAGIC  . STRANGE MAGIC opens in theaters January 23, 2015! “ Strange Magic ,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects. Directed by Gary Rydstrom (“Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation,” “Lifted”) from a story by George Lucas, “Strange Magic” will be released by Touchstone Pictures on Jan. 23, 2015. Watch the trailer after the Jump... Please Leave A Comment-

“ Strange Magic ,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., will be released by Touchstone Pictures on January 23, 2015. “ Strange Magic ” is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “ A Midsummer Night's Dream .” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic, which created the CGI animation for 2011’s Academy Award®-winning film “Rango,” bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects. With a story by George Lucas, “Strange Magic” is directed by Gary Rydstrom (“Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation,” “Lifted”), produced by Mark S. Miller (associate producer “Mars Attacks!”) and executive produced by George Lucas, with a screenplay by David Berenbaum (“Elf”), Irene Mecchi (“Brave,” “The Lion King”) and Rydstrom. An extr

Fans can see the original in all its glory, thanks to some dedicated fans. Last month, we reported that Disney was preparing to release on Blu-ray the original Star Wars trilogy, minus all of Director George Lucas's 'Special Edition' edits, which included new special effects, a re-recorded soundtrack, and addition of previously unreleased scenes. Sadly, Disney - the parent company to Lucasfilm - issued a statement quickly debunking the rumor. Wait, you didn't know there was a difference? For years, Lucas has stated that his original version of the film was only "25%-30%" of the version he had envisioned. Yet, for many fans who first saw the original crawl without from A New Hope sans the 'Episode IV' subtitle, that version is still the best. Who could blame them? Greedo shooting first? A comical interlude with a younger Jabba the Hut? Nonsense. Even when the Blu-ray set was released, fans complained that the transfer process darkened

LUCASFILM AND DARK HORSE ANNOUNCE THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF STAR WARS COMICS! George Lucas’s original-draft screenplay for The Star Wars to be adapted by J. W. Rinzler and Mike Mayhew! It’s no April Fools’ prank! Dark Horse is honored to announce a dream project: working with J.W. Rinzler, executive editor at LucasBooks, and artist Mike Mayhew (Avengers) to adapt the rough-draft original screenplay which spawned the biggest franchise in film history! Three years before his 1977 film, George Lucas put down on paper his first story set in a galaxy far, far away—a tale of fantastic adventures, daring escapes, “lazer swords,” romance, and monsters. A story of Jedi Annikin Starkiller and General Luke Skywalker, an alien named Han Solo, and evil Sith Knights. The screenplay was titled The Star Wars! “I’m not sure where I first read about The Star Wars—it was years and years ago—but the idea of Luke Skywalker being an older Jedi General, and Han Solo being a six-foo

Tip your rumour box into the fact drawer because George Lucas says that Star Wars originals Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford will be returning for the next instalment of the franchise. It's confirmation of Fisher's own hints and those of a rather more circumspect Hamill over the past few weeks and populates Episode VII with familiar and much-loved faces. Chewie, it's your move. "We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison - or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation," Lucas told Bloomberg Businessweek . "So I called them to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on.’ Maybe I’m not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them." He added coyly, “I won’t say whether the negotiations were successful or not.” Please Leave A Comment- Source- Empire

As the elements gather for Star Wars: Episode VII , talk (and a whole Bantha-drawn sled’s worth of speculation) has turned to which of the original cast might return. There have already been rumours that Harrison Ford is mulling a deal to reprise Han Solo, and Mark Hamill has gone on the record to say that there have been talks. Now the once – and possibly future – Luke Skywalker has had more to say, chatting with Entertainment Tonight . “They're talking to us," Hamill says. " George Lucas wanted to know whether we'd be interested. He did say that if we didn't want to do it, they wouldn't cast another actor in our parts – they would write us out. … I can tell you right away that we haven't signed any contracts. We're in the stage where they want us to go in and meet with Michael Arndt, who is the writer, and Kathleen Kennedy, who is going to run Lucasfilm. Both have had meetings set that were postponed – on their end, not mine. They're more

STAR WARS IS BEING KICK-STARTED WITH DYNAMITE J.J. ABRAMS TO DIRECT STAR WARS: EPISODE VII . After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII , the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay. "It's very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said Kennedy. "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture." George Lucas went on to say "I've

GEORGE LUCAS  AND RON HOWARD BRING THE CLASSIC TALE TO LIFE ON BLU-RAY FOR THE FIRST TIME Blu-ray + DVD Combo-pack Features All-new Digital Transfer Overseen by Lucasfilm and Never-Before-Seen Bonus Material Journey to the far corners of your imagination with  Willow , for the first time ever on stunning Blu-ray! Written and produced by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, the film tells a timeless fantasy tale in which heroes come in all sizes...and adventure is the greatest magic of all. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the unforgettable classic has been fully digitally restored and debuts on Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack March 12, 2013 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. When young Willow Ufgood ( Warwick Davis ;  Harry Potter  franchise) finds an abandoned baby girl, he learns she is destined to end the reign of the wicked Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh; “ Upstairs, Downstairs ”). In order to protect the child, Willow must team up

The shocking and downright exhilarating news of Disney purchasing Lucasfilm and announcing new Star Wars adventures on the way did not come as a surprise to everyone. Within the two companies, negotiations had been going on for months. And George Lucas even said that he’d written outlines for at least three more films. Now we seemingly know who has turned them into a treatment for Star Wars: Episode VII and beyond… Toy Story 3’s Michael Arndt . Vulture , which is currently in the market for a place to unload many Bothan spy bodies, brings word that Arndt had quietly been hired to start cranking out the treatment long before the shockwave October 30 announcement. No official nod to the fact has been given, but Arndt is most certainly a good call. After winning an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine , he was recruited by Disney / Pixar to write the third Toy Story film and delivered something truly special. He’s also been at work on other projects, including the still untitled Pixa

By the end of the year, the $4.05 billion sale of Lucasfilm to Disney should be finalized. And since George Lucas owns 100 percent of his company - which has little to no debt - all that money goes to him. After that, Lucas plans to quickly put the bulk of the money into a foundation which will primarily focus on educational issues, a spokesperson for Lucasfilm tells THR . “ George Lucas has expressed his intention, in the event the deal closes, to donate the majority of the proceeds to his philanthropic endeavors.”  It's not yet clear which foundation will get the proceeds. Lucas is currently the chairman of Edutopia, which is part of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. He could put money into that or create a new foundation which would be funded from the sale. The Foundation was the vehicle Lucas used to make a $175 million donation to his alma mater USC in 2006. He has also given to many other causes over the years including the Film Foundation, Stand Up To Ca

All four films in the epic and award-winning Indiana Jones franchise will be available together in high definition when  INDIANA JONES: The Complete Adventures  debuts on Blu-ray on Tuesday, September 18th! And SandwichJohnFilms will be giving away 5 copies to some of our lucky readers. In June of 1981 director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas introduced the world to Indiana Jones when the unforgettable Raiders of the Lost Ark debuted in theaters. Exploding to instant acclaim, the film has now been carefully restored, alongside remastered versions of the archaeologist’s other thrilling adventures— Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull . Prepare for excitement, adventure and snakes—why did it have to be snakes?—all with pristine picture and sound when INDIANA JONES: The Complete Adventures debuts on Blu-ray September 18, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media

It's easy to forget, but earlier this year, George Lucas , in his infinite wisdom, re-released cosmic disappointment " Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace " into theaters, this time converted to snazzy 3D. Because, you know, everyone wanted Jar Jar Binks up in their shit. While it didn't hang around in theaters for very long, this new version of ' Phantom Menace ' did eek out a pretty healthy profit (almost $45 million), which doesn't come close to touching the haul that "The Lion King" made last year in a similar 3D run, it's still pretty damn good, especially because, at this point, it's just printing its own money. Well, Lucas will be returning to that well for the remainder of the prequel trilogy, with the official Lucas Twitter account announcing September and October 2013 releases for 3D versions of "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones" and "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith ." Start cha

To coincide with the arrival of all four Indiana Jones films on Blu-ray on September 18, we are being spoiled with an IMAX rerelease for just one week in the very same month. Explaining just how you convert a 31 year-old movie to something capable of being called IMAX quality, Steven Spielberg told The New York Times, that "the first tier is where you take the DI [digital intermediate] and you enhance the resolution to IMAX resolution. The second tier is that the sound is significantly different. Raiders Of The Lost Ark Heading To Imax- "They take the [audio] stems that we gave them, and they put them through their 12,000 watts of digital surround sound, and it’s a totally uncompressed experience." Sound, as it turns out, is key to Spielberg's IMAX vision: "You kind of feel the sound in your chest, like when the boulder is rolling, chasing Indy through the cave. You really feel the boulder in your stomach, the way you do when a marching band passes b

Raiders of the Lost Ark is heading back to the big screen -- but this time, it’s the really big screen. Paramount is re-releasing the classic 1981 adventure movie, directed Steven Spielberg , executive produced by George Lucas and starring Harrison Ford , in Imax theaters next month, ahead of a splashy debut on Blu-ray. INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES Blu-Ray Arrives September 18th- Paramount has not made any official announcement, but the movie already is popping up on various ticketing and theater websites as an attraction opening Sept. 7. Fandango, for example, has it listed at the AMC Century 15 in Imax for that date. An announcement is expected this week, according to several sources, and website Screencrush reported that its sources confirmed the impending re-release. Paramount did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and it is unclear how wide a release is being planned and what sort of campaign the studio will mount. The studio is releasing the I

INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES on Blu-Ray, September 18, 2012. In June of 1981 director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas introduced the world to Indiana Jones when the unforgettable Raiders of the Lost Ark debuted in theaters. Exploding to instant acclaim, the film has now been carefully restored, alongside remastered versions of the archaeologist’s other thrilling adventures— Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull . Prepare for excitement, adventure and snakes—why did it have to be snakes?—all with pristine picture and sound when INDIANA JONES: The Complete Adventures debuts on Blu-ray September 18, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution. Supervised by director Steven Spielberg and renowned sound designer Ben Burtt, Raiders of the Lost Ark has been meticulously restored with careful attention to preserving the original look, sound and feel

Late last year, the registration of a few new Lucasfilm domain names clued us in to a mystery project that would eventually become the museum exhibit Star Wars: Identities . Now George Lucas and company have registered a few more, leaving us with another mystery: What is Star Wars 1313 ? Last week, Lucasfilm registered eight domains via the Corporate Service Company, all centered around 1313: StarWars1313.com, SW1313.com, 1313starwars.com, 1313starwars.net, 1313sw.com, 1313sw.net, starwars1313.com, starwars1313.net, sw1313.com, and sw1313.net. With no official announcement of anything new from Lucasfilm yet, fan theories are beginning to emerge. The most prominent so far is that Star Wars 1313 could be a Boba Fett film. Captain America director (and former Star Wars VFX technician) Joe Johnston really wants to make one, but what does 1313 have to do with it? Well, in the young reader novel Boba Fett: Maze of Deception , the bounty hunter uses the alias " CT-1313 "

FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER GEORGE LUCAS COMES THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF THE MEN WHOSE BRAVERY MADE THEM HEROES AND WHOSE ACTIONS MADE HISTORY. Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr . Lead an All-Star Cast In The High-Octane Action-Adventure Coming to Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download. Just in Time for Memorial Day on May 22. Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment present the remarkable story of an inspirational group of men whose legendary bravery was cemented in the sky in RED TAILS , soaring onto Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital Download May 22. Set for release just prior to Memorial Day, RED TAILS stars Academy Award® Winner Cuba Gooding Jr . (Jerry Maguire) and Academy Award Nominee Terrence Howard  (Hustle & Flow) leading a powerful ensemble cast in this high-flying epic inspired by the real-life adventures of the first African-American combat unit to serve in World War II. Italy, 1944. As the war takes its toll on Allied forces in Europe, a squadron of bla

THR got a chance to sit down with Uncle George and ask him 5 hot questions that everyone wants to know the answer to. With yet another re-invigoration of the massive Star Wars franchise —hello, 3-Delirum! — the Star Wars creator confronts the controversy of content changes (again), shares his views on SOPA and gives an update on Indiana Jones 5 . In this 3D conversion of what is Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace, were there any changes made to any characters or the plot, or was it just a conversion? George Lucas: Changes are not unusual — I mean, most movies when they release them they make changes. But somehow, when I make the slightest change, everybody thinks it’s the end of the world. That whole issue between filmmakers and the studios with the studios being able to change things without even letting the director of the movie know … I’m very much involved in that [so that’s not happening here]. … My job is to try to make the best possible movie it can be — and the current ver